From the First Selectman's Desk
Another busy and exciting week here at Town Hall.
The week started out with the most well attended town meeting I can ever remember! The town meeting is the purest form of democracy, so thank you to all who came out to express their views, learn more about the unit-based pricing program, and to vote. The program was defeated. However, myself and our two-selectman heard both the positive and the negative feedback that was shared by the audience. All valid comments. All worth exploring. Thank you for taking the time to communicate your thoughts. The number 1 take away for me, was that we need to do better with enforcement of the town’s existing solid waste ordinance already on the books. So, the BOS will be making plans for better enforcement at the transfer station. Please make sure you are compliant and have a transfer station sticker visible on your windshield, left lower corner, (driver’s side) to make the staff’s job easier. Stickers are available free of charge with proof of residency by showing your car registration at either the transfer station or at the town clerk’s office during regular business hours. More details about the enforcement actions will be shared when the BOS completes their action plan. I am open to speaking one-on-one with anyone who has ideas about how to improve this town service. Please call the First Selectman’s office to set up a time to chat.
We were certainly caught off guard with the size of the crowd who turned out for the meeting. We made the decision that since so many had come out, we would try to make it work. The alternative, would have been to cancel the meeting on the spot and reschedule to another evening, at least 14 days in the future, but at a bigger venue. Due to the busy holiday season, we didn’t want to inconvenience folks by making them come back out on another night. The patience showed by the audience as you waited to vote was appreciated. Thank you to our Deep River Registrars and volunteers who kept the voting line moving. Also, a big thank you, to our Fire Marshall who took the necessary steps to allow us to move forward with the meeting.
I again enjoyed welcoming and connecting with dozens of residents who stopped in to Town Hall. I also found myself in so many productive meetings this week.
We held the first of three BOS meetings on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning, I attended the meeting of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) held at The Kate in Old Saybrook. At the RiverCOG meeting, the 2024 Legislative Agenda was presented with a discussion on what was coming before the State Legislature that will both impact and benefit our small shoreline towns. I later met with Deep River’s Community Relations Specialist from Eversource Energy, to review storm preparedness procedures as well as any emergency action plan if necessary. Yesterday morning, the BOS held a special meeting to discuss the ARPA funds that the town received. The requests for the remaining ARPA funds that were submitted under the previous administration were reviewed. There was no action taken, as this meeting was only to familiarize the BOS with the applications and requests for funds. As before, all ARPA funds proposed to be allocated for a specific use or program by the BOS, would go before the Board of Finance and then to a town meeting where the Deep River residents have the final say on what gets funded.
Closing out my Thursday afternoon and evening, I attended the quarterly town safety meeting and then a joint meeting with the BOS, Deep River Sustainable Committee and the Ad Hoc Waste Reduction committee. These committees are working tirelessly to make Deep River a more sustainable and environmentally aware community. Your efforts are appreciated.
This morning, I meet with our Board of Finance Chairperson, our Finance Director, the Superintendent of Schools and the Region 4 Finance Director to get an overview and begin the budget conversation. This was the first of many meetings to come. Next up, I had the pleasure to welcome Probate Judge Jeannine Lewis to town hall who stopped by to welcome me to my new position. Judge Lewis, oversees the Saybrook District Probate Court which serves the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.
Finally, I was invited to gather with other local community leaders this afternoon, to celebrate the arrival of the new refrigerated truck generously funded by all 11 towns served by the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. The SSKP expressed their gratitude for the combined support provided by all the towns through ARPA funding. Many struggling residents of our shoreline communities will be able to receive the food they need with this new truck. The SSKP is an interfaith service that provides food and fellowship to those in need and educates our community on hunger and poverty. They are on track to share 2 million pounds of food by the end of this year, and 8% of the local population are registered guests at SSKP food pantries. SSKP is serving 30% more meals in 2023 than prior to the pandemic – which is even more than last year. To announce this great news, a group photo with representatives from each of the 11 towns along with the truck and SSKP staff was taken at the Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook.
Have your rain boots and umbrellas ready again this weekend as the weather forecast from WFSB calls for a cloudy Sunday with scattered showers likely by evening and with the wind intensifying too. Then on Monday, similar to last week, light to heavy rain is forecasted with 2″+ possible in some areas. The wind will continue and temperatures will drop as the day progresses. We will keep you up to date, should our area be expected to see another major rainfall and wind event.
After many years, Gerry and Carlyn Kruszewski are retiring. Their popular ‘Family Laundry’ business located on Main Street first opened in 2009. Gerry and Carlyn will close the shop on 12/18 and the new owners, who will keep the name, will reopen it on 12/21. Please be sure to stop by and wish them both a happy retirement. Thank you for your years serving Deep River residents and our neighboring communities. Your business has always supported local youth groups, school groups and community programs; as well as all of the town’s Parks and Recreation events. The current hours of the Family Laundry are weekdays M, T, Th, F, from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday open 7:30 to 6:00.
Still looking for some cool shopping opportunities? Shop locally this weekend! Deep River has what you are looking for…
On Saturday, in addition to visiting all the other Deep River shops, check out Brick & Mortar @114 Main Street, for some cool gifts such as a great book, written by a local author who will be on hand to sign a copy just for you! What an awesome gift idea! The book is, “A Deep River Year”, people, passages, and promises, written by our own, Reverand Timothy Haut, the minister of the Deep River Congregational Church. He will be at the shop from 12:30-2:30. Books are available for purchase.
Didn’t get there last weekend? It’s not too late…head over to Promethea Potters @ 68 Main Street, from 3-7 pm for this week’s special ‘Tequila Cocktails and Art’. Enjoy a cocktail while shopping locally made handcrafts, pottery and paintings.
The Deep River Community Toy Drive concluded today with hundreds of toys collected. Thank you to our extremely generous community who donated to make sure several local children who might otherwise go without, have something special to open this holiday season. Thank you to these Deep River businesses: Landing and Main, The Nest, Tri-Town Youth Services, Shore Discount, Town Hall and Edward Jones who volunteered to serve as drop off locations. The toy drive is again sponsored by the Deep River Community Health Committee, the Chester-Deep River Rotary Club and the Tri-Town Youth Services bureau. The toys are being distributed starting 12/17. Please call Deep River Social Service Director, Rosie Bininger @ 860-526-6033 for more information.
Looking ahead to next week, plan to stop by Town Hall on Friday morning, December 22nd @ 9:00 am to hear the students of Deep River Elementary School raise their voices to spread some holiday cheer. The students will gather around the town evergreen for this free community event. We hope you can join us for the Deep River Elementary School Carol Sing.
Also, next Friday, Bennett’s Books will celebrate the shortest day of the year with a special visit from Krampus! The legend of Krampus, or the “Christmas Devil”, dates back centuries, originating as a German Christmas tradition during the 12th century. According to traditional narratives of Alpine folklore, the Krampus would enter the towns, lashing his chains and bells, to capture naughty children. The event will begin with a relatively kid friendly program from 4-6 pm including the opportunity for free pictures with Krampus. At 6:00pm, the event will be more adult oriented with libations offered. This is a free event although donations will be enthusiastically accepted. Bennett’s Books will announce more details as the event gets closer. If you would like to help out, please call or stop by the shop. Mark your calendars for this one-of-a-kind offering. Bennett’s Books is located at 171 Main Street, next store to ‘A Fresh Image’ Salon.
Please keep yourself, family and friends safe out there. Do not drink and drive. Have a great week.